You can save money by buying new smartphones that are “behind the curve” – Amazon often has deals on new phones at close to used prices. Otherwise, the savings on second-hand phones may be offset by the extra work you have to do, and the extra risks. The savings may be wiped out if your phone fails, or turns out to be stolen.
There are actually two types of second-hand phone. The first is the usual type, sold by individuals and some small dealers. The second type consists of refurbished phones, which have been tested, fixed and graded by retailers. Refurbished phones should always come with a guarantee, though you may only get six months.
Buying a refurbished phone reduces the risks involved, but generally raises the prices.
Refurbishers
O2’s Like New online store should be one of the safest places to buy refurbished. The first catch is that O2’s smartphones come with a sim and a contract, but Simply Pay As You Go doesn’t involve a monthly fee. The second catch is that you can only choose from a small number of phones. The third catch is that O2 Refresh offers low prices if you trade in your existing phone.
There are other sources of refurbished phones including eBay and Amazon traders, and CeX and similar stores. There’s a list on the Money Saving Expert page, Buying a refurbished mobile
If you buy from a refurbisher, you will usually be able to use a credit card for payment, except on eBay. If your second hand smartphone costs more than £100, you will get extra protection if something goes wrong.
Checking a phone
If you buy from an individual, you must check that the smartphone works correctly, and that it isn’t stolen. Warn sellers in advance: they may spare you the effort by selling to someone less savvy.
This approach depends on meeting the seller face to face, rather than buying sight-unseen from eBay, Gumtree or whatever. It also depends on you having the right size sim for the phone you want to buy, but you can always pick up a cheap one.
You should obviously check the smartphone for scratches and other damage, including corrosion around the sockets. Check the camera lens for scratches. If the back opens, get the seller to open it: the smartphone should be clean inside.
Take along a laptop, a charging cable, earbuds or headphones, and – if necessary – a microSD or SD card. Plug the smartphone into your laptop to make sure it charges. Check that the headphone jack and card slot work. Use your own sim to make a phone call.
If the smartphone is locked to a particular network, it should be cheaper than an unlocked phone. Even if you happen to use the same network, do some research first, to make sure you can unlock it.
Read Entire Article: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/sep/15/how-should-i-go-about-buying-a-second-hand-smartphone
There are actually two types of second-hand phone. The first is the usual type, sold by individuals and some small dealers. The second type consists of refurbished phones, which have been tested, fixed and graded by retailers. Refurbished phones should always come with a guarantee, though you may only get six months.
Buying a refurbished phone reduces the risks involved, but generally raises the prices.
Refurbishers
O2’s Like New online store should be one of the safest places to buy refurbished. The first catch is that O2’s smartphones come with a sim and a contract, but Simply Pay As You Go doesn’t involve a monthly fee. The second catch is that you can only choose from a small number of phones. The third catch is that O2 Refresh offers low prices if you trade in your existing phone.
There are other sources of refurbished phones including eBay and Amazon traders, and CeX and similar stores. There’s a list on the Money Saving Expert page, Buying a refurbished mobile
If you buy from a refurbisher, you will usually be able to use a credit card for payment, except on eBay. If your second hand smartphone costs more than £100, you will get extra protection if something goes wrong.
Checking a phone
If you buy from an individual, you must check that the smartphone works correctly, and that it isn’t stolen. Warn sellers in advance: they may spare you the effort by selling to someone less savvy.
This approach depends on meeting the seller face to face, rather than buying sight-unseen from eBay, Gumtree or whatever. It also depends on you having the right size sim for the phone you want to buy, but you can always pick up a cheap one.
You should obviously check the smartphone for scratches and other damage, including corrosion around the sockets. Check the camera lens for scratches. If the back opens, get the seller to open it: the smartphone should be clean inside.
Take along a laptop, a charging cable, earbuds or headphones, and – if necessary – a microSD or SD card. Plug the smartphone into your laptop to make sure it charges. Check that the headphone jack and card slot work. Use your own sim to make a phone call.
If the smartphone is locked to a particular network, it should be cheaper than an unlocked phone. Even if you happen to use the same network, do some research first, to make sure you can unlock it.
Read Entire Article: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/sep/15/how-should-i-go-about-buying-a-second-hand-smartphone